Marine groups donate to sportfishing foundation

The FishAmerica Foundation recently received donations from Bonnier Corp., the Brunswick Public Foundation and the Mercury Marine National Walleye Tournament to support its mission to help keep the nation’s sportfish and their habitat healthy.

“We are proud that these companies have chosen to support FishAmerica’s efforts, especially during these difficult economic times,” FishAmerica Foundation executive director Johanna Laderman said in a statement. “The future of fishing depends on healthy sportfish populations and habitat, and FishAmerica’s mission to enhance sportfish populations, restore sportfish habitat and improve water quality will ensure many sportfishing opportunities for generations to come.”

Bonnier made a $10,000 donation to the FishAmerica Gulf Fund in support of fisheries conservation and habitat restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. The Brunswick Public Foundation contributed $35,000 to the FishAmerica Foundation’s grants program.

Mercury Marine presented $3,000 to the FishAmerica Foundation from donations tournament anglers made through its national walleye tournament.

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida and the Marine Industry Cares Foundation, organizers of the 41st Annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup held on March 3, collected 32 tons of trash from 31 sites around the county.